Eurofins | Newsflash - July 2018 | Cosmetics

Monday, July 9, 2018

Europe

MBBT nano authorized by the European Commission

On the 21st of June, the Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/885 of 20 June 2018 amending Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products was published in the OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union).

Entry 23 of the Annex VI is modified in order to allow MBBT(nano) (Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (nano)) in cosmetics. Previously, only the non-nano form was mentioned in Annex VI but because this UV filter only exists in a nano-form, the Cosmetic Products Regulation is modified. The new entry lists ingredient specifications, too.

Until 19th July 2018, the feedback period of initiative: “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – A comprehensive framework on endocrine disruptors” will be open to receive the comments, opinions and information of general public through the European Commission website.

Click here for getting more information about this initiative towards a more comprehensive EU framework on endocrine disruptors.

Europe

Recent SCCS Opinions on Cosmetics

Following some recent Opinions of Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS):

The French Competent Authority ANSM published a document about phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products

This document (which is not legally binding) is written by the Comité Scientifique Spécialisé Temporaire (CSST) and is based on new scientific data.

ANSM wanted to know if the previous recommendation (of 2012) is still valid, taking into account the last SCCS opinion on this substance. ANSM will forward the conclusions of this document to the European Commission in order to encourage the modification of the maximum allowed concentration of this preservative.

On 30th May 2018, the Italian Ministry of Economic Development notified to European Commission the “Draft technical regulation banning the marketing of non-biodegradable and non-compostable cotton buds and exfoliating rinse-off cosmetic products or detergents containing microplastics”.

The aim of this regulation is to prevent marine waste, or ‘marine litter’ as it is commonly known, made of plastic or other non-biodegradable materials, which is improperly disposed of or released into drains and not intercepted by sewage treatment plants and which, therefore, accumulates in the water and marine environment.

Click here to getting the publication with reference 2018/258/I in the European Commission website.

New Zealand

Plastic microbeads ban

From 7th June 2018 onwards, New Zealand prohibits the production and sale of products containing microbeads. The aim is to prevent plastic microbeads entering the marine environment because they are not biodegradable.

The products under the scope of this regulation are wash-off products that contain microbeads:

Wash-off cosmetics such as facial and body exfoliants, toothpastes and heavy-duty hand cleansers